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Patterson had a troubled family life, both parents and one of his sisters battled drug addiction, and his father spent time in prison. As a youth, he lived mostly with his mother, Charlene Patterson, who eventually died of a heart attack when he was at the University of Cincinnati.

After hearing of her death while on a road trip at UAB, he rejected an offer to fly home and spend time with his family, instead staying with his team for the game and scoring 32 points. "My mother would have wanted me to play," Patterson later explained.

Patterson left the Lakers for Seattle on August 10, 1999 as a free agent. He quickly became known as a solid defensive player and a good shooter, finishing fourth in the league in field goal percentage. He finished his second season in Seattle after starting 74-of-81 games, and third on the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game. After that season, he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.

In just his second year in Portland, trouble began to brew for Patterson. He was punched in the face by teammate Zach Randolph during a practice. Randolph intervened in an argument between Patterson and rookie teammate Qyntel Woods. The move cost Randolph $100,000.[2] Often outspoken and erratic, Patterson was temporarily suspended from the Trail Blazers in the 2005–06 season for speaking harshly at coach Nate McMillan and refusing to return to a game, upset about his lack of playing time. Patterson later explained his outburst, saying he was frustrated and it was "like the devil hit me and told me to get it out".[citation needed] He also demanded that he get at least 25 minutes per game or be traded.

In February 2006, Patterson was traded to the Denver Nuggets. In the following off-season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Joe Smith.[3] In Milwaukee, Patterson posted the best numbers of his career with 14.7 points per game, 2.9 assists per game, 31.0 minutes per game. He also tied a career-high in rebounds per game with 5.4 as well as posted a career-best 55% field goal percentage.

On August 29, 2007, Patterson signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.[4] Patterson was waived by the Clippers on December 13, 2007.[5] He later joined the Lebanese club 'Champville'.[6]

Patterson was involved in a number of off-the-court issues during his basketball career. Patterson would have to register himself as a sex offender to establish legal residency in many U.S. states, due to pleading guilty in 2001 to attempted rape of his child's nanny in September 2000.[7] It was reported that he forced the nanny to perform a sex act on him.[7][8] In February 2001, Patterson was convicted of misdemeanorassault for attacking a man who scratched his car outside a Cleveland, Ohio night club. Patterson was arrested in 2002 for felony domestic abuse charges on his wife. His wife later dropped the charges[9] and they divorced.[10]

He was accused of failing to register as a sex offender on May 15, 2007 after moving into a new house in Cincinnati and a bench warrant was issued.[11] His agent, former NFL player Tim McGee, said Patterson's failure to register was "an oversight" after Patterson was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine on June 8.

On March 27, 2010, Patterson was arrested in Hamilton County, Ohio on DUI charges after it was found that his blood alcohol level was .117. On July 26, 2010, Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard sentenced him to a $500 fine and a 3 day driving program. He also ordered Patterson not to consume alcohol for 18 months.[12]